WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW: The Bacharach Songbook Live | Akron Civic Theatre April 1

WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW: The Bacharach Songbook Live | Akron Civic Theatre April 1 | Todd Rundgren and Rob Shirakbari

What happens when you fuse Burt Bacharach’s sophisticated melodies with Todd Rundgren’s layered, creative edges? You get something unexpected yet profoundly new and exciting. Tonight’s performance, directed by Rob Shirakbari, brought these two distinct worlds together in a way that delighted and surprised. The audience swayed to Bacharach’s famous love songs one moment, then found themselves cheering and crowding around the stage in a mini mosh pit the next. A blend of Bacharach and Rundgren fans filled the venue, and by the end of the night, it was clear: no one had come to see just one artist. Instead, they were immersed in a fresh, genre-defying experience that united them in a way neither could have predicted. 

Three long notes from the orchestra began the evening. We knew the words “What… the… world…” while the orchestra crescendoed the opening melody, Rundgren graced the stage in a maroon three-piece suit, and the audience erupted in cheers and applause. With his signature style, Todd began singing “What The World Needs Now,” delivering the iconic song with his own heartfelt twist. He moved across the stage with his trademark energy, fully engaging the receptive crowd. It was a fresh take on Bacharach’s fan favorite, setting the tone for a night that would prove delightful and unforgettable. 

The stage design was elegantly minimalist, brought to life by vibrant, colorful spotlights that bathed the nine-piece orchestra in shifting hues. A raised platform broke the uniform lineup of musicians, adding depth to the arrangement. Behind them, a nostalgic cityscape evoked the charm of New York City from decades past, with its faded skyline bringing back memories of nostalgia.

The second number featured Wendy Moten, a former runner-up on The Voice, commanding the stage with confidence and poise. Moten, who has been performing jazz since 1992, also brought a standout presence to the show.  She delivered a soulful rendition of Dionne Warwick’s “Walk On By,” her sultry voice drawing one back to the first time that they heard the song; its lyrics still fresh in the memory bank. Under the colorful spotlights, her long sequin jacket (check it out for yourself on CleveRock’s “Caught on Camera”) shimmered with every move. The song perfectly highlighted her powerful vocal range, capturing both the audience’s attention and the emotion behind the music.

The third number introduced a member of the orchestra as Woody Mankowski stepped forward to perform “I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself.” His rendition delivered a deep, resonant voice and brought a new depth to the classic. The melody unfolded with rich harmony, showcasing his skill in blending intricate vocals. His performance left the audience wanting to hear him more.

This team of artists came together to celebrate the music of Bacharach in a manner that did his music justice! Shirakbari, who served as music director for Dionne Warwick, first met Bacharach through that connection—since Bacharach was also working closely with Warwick at the time. An accomplished pianist, Shirakbari had a playing style that closely mirrored Bacharach’s, and the two quickly formed a strong bond. Shirakbari often played piano during Bacharach’s sound checks, and their musical chemistry led to Shirakbari stepping into the role of music director for Bacharach as well.

When it came time to put together this tribute, Shirakbari reached out to Rundgren. Although Rundgren had participated in past tribute concerts (for the Beatles and David Bowie), he had previously said he was done with them. Still, as a respected songwriter, musician, singer, and producer in his own right, Rundgren held Bacharach’s songwriting in such high esteem that he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to honor his legacy.

To prepare for the tour, Shirakbari created a Spotify playlist featuring over 60 Bacharach songs, which he gradually narrowed down to form the show’s setlist. He reached out to Rundgren, Tori Holub, Woody Mankowski, and Wendy Moten to get their input on which songs they were most interested in performing. Shirakbari and Rundgren also invited Rundgren’s “Utopia” bandmate, bassist Kasim Sulton, to join the tour—not only to play bass but also to take on lead vocals for several songs.

READ CLEVEROCK’S ADVANCE INTERVIEW WITH MUSIC DIRECTOR ROB SHIRAKBARI

Sulton brought a touch of humor to the show by playfully asking if he could sing, and to my surprise, he turned out to be a high-energy soloist. He was engaged with the audience when he performed. “Always Something There to Remind Me”.  He stepped into the mini mosh pit to mingle with the audience mid-performance. His charisma and lively presence quickly won the crowd over. 

Rundgren returned to center stage to perform the beautifully melodic and emotionally charged “A House Is Not a Home.” His presence was warmly welcomed, as many in the audience were eager to hear his interpretation. He delivered a powerful performance, showcasing his vocal strength as he navigated the song’s soft, delicate passages and soared through its dramatic peaks. Another highlight was his much-anticipated rendition of “What’s New Pussycat,” which had the crowd buzzing—many audience members even wore light-up cat ears in honor of the tune. In a playful moment, the audience handed Rundgren a pair of ears to wear, which he gladly put on, adding a fun, lighthearted touch to his performance.

Tori Holub, just 22 years young, sang “In Between the Heartaches,” Her vocals are so sweet and smooth, and she has been compared to Karen Carpenter (so similar in sound, in fact, that Karen’s brother reached out to her to perform some of Karen’s songs). Her vocal range allows her to hit really low, moody notes. Her performance of “Close to You,” “We’ve Only Just Begun,” and “Do You Know the Way to San Jose” got the audience swaying once again. 

 “Reach Out for Me” and “The Look of Love” were performed by the 25-year-old and incredibly talented drummer and vocalist Elise Trouw. Her vocals were crisp, and her drumming impressively precise, showcasing her skill as a multi-instrumentalist. Trouw, who has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and toured as the opening act for Incubus in 2019, brought a unique energy to the stage. One of the audience’s favorite moments of the night was her performance of “My Little Red Book,” where she beautifully blended her vocal and drumming talents in an upbeat style.

The orchestra and vocalists delivered a vibrant medley of songs from the iconic film Casino Royale, a soundtrack that earned Burt Bacharach an Academy Award for Best Original Score. 

The performance of “Alfie,” featuring Trouw and Moten, was nothing short of goosebump-inducing. Their voices blended beautifully, capturing the emotional depth of the song with grace and sensitivity. 

Multi-instrumentalist Probyn Gregory added remarkable depth, harmony, and rhythm to the concert. He seamlessly moved between the familiar trumpet and bass, the rich and mellow tones of the French horn, and even the playful charm of the ukulele.

The evening ended with the pop tune “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” (from the award-winning movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid), with the orchestra and vocalist singing along with the audience. It kept the audience humming the tune as we made our way out of the theatre. 

Shirakbari’s talent for bringing together a multifaceted show was on full display. Whether he was singing, playing keyboard or piano, or guiding the evening as narrator, he created a delightful journey down memory lane—one that was romantic, heartfelt, and filled with genuine appreciation for Burt Bacharach’s timeless music!